19. A Fake

An hour later I was frowning at myself in the mirror at Elizabeth’s house (or to be more accurate—mansion) I was wearing a green dress she let me borrow, the dress was princess cut with no straps, it hugged my curves showing off my hourglass shape but it wasn’t so tight that it looked slutty, the bottom was layered and went just above my knees and had an intricate black lace pattern like a belt. Elizabeth also let me borrow a pair of her black boots that went with the dress perfectly.

I wasn’t frowning because I didn’t like the outfit; I was frowning because I didn’t like the girl wearing the outfit. My golden hair was pulled up in an intricate up do that I had no hopes of ever recreating on my own, and Elizabeth also did my makeup to make my green eyes stand out. I looked good, I know I did, but I didn’t feel good; I felt like a fake, like I was hiding some big secret under my beautiful dress that probably cost a fortune. I closed my eyes trying to ignore my thoughts.

“I think they’re outside, are you ready?” Elizabeth asked me.

I smiled at her in her blue dress that was layered like mine but shorter it had a single silver strap that went to her waist. “No, but since when did that stop me?” I asked as I nudged her toward where I thought the front door was.

Calum and Luke were waiting outside the door when we got there I gave them each a weak smile as I subconsciously tugged at my dress, they were both dressed in black and it was hot I quickly looked away trying to rid my mind of that thought.

Calum and Luke just stared at us or more me which made me even more self-conscious, I wanted to pull on my hoodie and never take it off but I couldn’t, Calum wanted me there and I didn’t want to disappoint him. I awkwardly broke the silence “Guys this is Elizabeth, Elizabeth this is Calum and Luke.”

She nodded “I have English with you.” She smiled at Luke.

The drive wasn’t as scary because I was distracted with the conversation; apparently Ash and Mikey were meeting us at the party because there weren’t enough seats in Calum’s car. Elizabeth and Luke seemed to hit it off immediately somehow I felt relieved when she seemed more interested in Luke than Calum.

The party only had a few people present which was normal considering we were early because they guys had to set up all their equipment so while they did that Elizabeth and I gossiped, she kept sending glances at Luke who kept smiling at her, I was starting to feel like I was in the way of the two. But then again wasn’t I doing the exact same thing with Calum?

By the time the guys were finished setting up the huge room was crowded with hormonal teenagers and alcohol.

Calum could only spare a few minutes to talk to us before some guy with black hair dragged them off to their “stage” he gave me an apologetic look before heading to where his bass sat carefully away from the dangers of drunken klutzes.

Ash made an introduction that I was only halfheartedly paying attention to, too distracted by my own thoughts. They started to play a song that I didn’t recognize and I was lulled into a haze of giddiness. Before I realized what was happening Elizabeth was dragging me to the middle of the floor in front of the band where there was a makeshift dance floor, I danced with her because (for the first time in a really long time) I didn’t feel like being alone and Elizabeth and dancing? I mean those two don’t really seem like they should belong on the same planet as each other let alone sentence, but surprisingly she was actually good at it—does that sound creepy? I found myself moving along to the beat with her, I was having a good time.

I was so lost in dancing that i didn't notice someone come up behind me right away, and when I did I didn't really mind until his hands traveled to places where they shouldn't go. I instantly pivoted and slapped him across the face leaving a large red mark on his cheek that matched his curly hair.

I hadn't realize that the music had stopped until Calum was at my side, before i could try to explain anything (not that I wanted to defend the creep) the ginger was on the ground clutching his nose.

"You didn't have to do that!" I practically screamed.

Calum turned to me and I could see the anger in his eyes--those eyes looked just like J's...... No. I looked away not letting that change what he did, there was no reason for him to punch him I had the situation under control.